A project to design, build, operate, finance and maintain the first tranche of primary health care buildings is underway in the Leicester City area. The Leicester Local Improvement Finance Trust (LIFT) is part of a government initiative to supplement investment in primary and social care and community premises nationwide.
John Laing delivered the Leicester LIFT project through Primary Plus, its joint venture with the Bank of Scotland,as well asLeicester City Primary Care Trust along with Partnerships for Health. John Laing sold Primary Plus (Holdings) Ltd to a consortium of Equitix and Community Solutions in October 2011.
There are currently five schemes which make up the project - three operational and two under construction. The completed schemes are: St Peters Health Centre, a £6.6 million primary care building, housing a number of health and social care services, a pharmacy, cafe and meeting rooms for use by community groups; and Merridale Medical Centre - a £2.4 million one stop shop incorporating a broad range of community groups and the £6.7 million Westcotes Health Centre incorporating dental suits, a pharmacy, health and community services. Financial Close was achieved in 2004 and the concession will run for 25 years.
The two projects under construction are: Humberstone Health Centre which will house GP surgeries, minor treatment suites and a pharmacy and is expected to open in the summer of 2007; finally the Charnwood Health and Social Care Centre is a £12.8 million health and social centre which is expected to open in the winter of 2008.
John Laing Integrated Services is providing hard facilities management.
